:: Does this photo look like I used a special effect in PicMonkey? Nope. Just a foggy lens courtesy of this awful humidity.
But I sort of like it. It looks a bit magical and mysterious.
:: Don’s home for about 36 hours. Originally it looked as if he would be working tonight as the play is moving onstage for a week of tech/dress rehearsals, but the cast got the night off. One of his fellow cast members lives south of us in New Jersey and gave Don a ride to our local park-and-ride, just off the Thruway, where I picked him up. The dogs were very happy to see him. So was I. They made him shave his goatee and cut his hair for the part he’s playing. (I miss his goatee.)
:: Yes, I know. This is a rather boring photo of a hose and hose hanger. But, in the why-didn’t-I-do-this-years-ago category, after 7 years here, I finally bit the bullet and bought the hanger. Previously, the hose just stayed in a sort of coiled mess on the ground. For some reason, the spigot for the hose is all the way around on the far side of the house. So I had to buy a 150′ long hose a few years back in order for the hose to reach the big garden bed. This hanger makes things so much easier. And neater.
:: The weeds that I see from our kitchen window are very popular. Yesterday, I posted some photos I took of a goldfinch that was flitting among the flowers. Today…
Same weeds, beautiful Eastern Swallowtail butterfly.
Such ephemeral beauty.
:: Is it wrong of me to say I’m getting a little tired of the Olympics? I am. I usually love watching them. Indeed, I have spent every evening this past week in front of the television cheering on those athletes. But I’m getting a bit weary of the whole thing. Part of the problem is the fact that I can’t look at any news sites online or on television without seeing some result posted before I have the chance to watch the event in primetime. Some sites handle it well and say “Spoiler Alert” giving readers the chance to make their own decision about that sort of thing. Many of them, however, including CNN and other major news outlets, just blast the headline, not caring one bit whether they might have ruined the element of surprise for their viewers. I find the whole thing tedious. Since I’m online a lot, I feel like I’m trying to walk through a field of spoiler-landmines.
I know that covering the Olympics is an enormous undertaking but I do wish the commentators didn’t feel that they have to fill every moment with words. Too much talking! Sometimes I end up shouting “Shut Up!” at the television. When I was growing up in Michigan, we were able to watch Canada’s coverage of the Olympics, which I found much more sane and much less hyped.
Swimming and diving and gymnastics are my favorites and they’re pretty much done at this point. I used to love track and field, but now, not so much. Last night, it was a relief just to watch The Newsroom. Is there such a thing as Olympics burn-out?
I hope your Monday is a happy one.
I feel the same way about the spoilers. I’ve learned to not go on Facebook in the afternoon, because one or the other of my friends will post spoilers. Even at work, in spite of telling coworkers I don’t want to know, some seem to find pleasure from spilling the beans. Bah humbug!
Isn’t it impossible to avoid the spoilers? I understand why the networks must show the events in prime time, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it :-)
Just discovered your blog and I look forward to reading more.
Happy monday Claudia! !!!!
I realized yesterday that I’m tired of the Olympics myself. I do love them but I agree the commentary wears me out. Sometimes I just mute and watch the amazing athletes do their thing! I’m not much on track and field so my fav’s gymnastics, swimming and diving are mostly over. Love the butterfly pic!
hugs, Linda
Unfortunately, we are almost totally dependent on the Olympics commentary to find out anything that has happened … And the sound levels for the crowd noise sometimes completely drowns out the commentators … Especially at critical times. NBC hasn’t once (that I’ve seen) shown the stadium scoreboard so we can see what the athletes and in prison spectators can see. We have to watch the reactions and try desperately to hear the commentary. The other night, during the men’s gymnastics all around competition, I had to pick up my laptop and google to find out that the American had won the bronze medal. I could go on and on.
The spoilers don’t bother me much. Good thing, since it would practically be a full time job to avoid them.
Isn’t a man in a good goatee the best!! :). Sorry your husband’s is gone for a while.
Indeed it is possible and I haven’t even watched that much coverage. Everytime I turn it on it always seems to be beach volleyball. Did see some fantastic races in track and field and some beautiful equestrian events. Haven’t watched last night’s Newroom yet, but it’s something my daughter and I always watch together, which we will do tonight! Have a great week, Claudia. Ann
I love the picture of the mysterious what looks like a lane to me, beckoning you to wander down just a little bit farther!
I’m glad Don got to come home for a short visit. Time is precious to us all.
I haven’t even found equestrian showing at all! Just have to watch them at night.
yep – I have Olympics burnout too but I was putting it down to being Canadian. I avidly watch the winter Olympics but the summer ones, eh…At least, I’m watching Canadian TV and you’re right – the commentary doesn’t intrude and we see the races live. I’m going to spend the afternoon in the garden. Ciao J
My man wears a full beard. Twice in almost forty years I have seen him clean shaven. Before me appeared a stranger until I caught the ever present twinkle in his eyes. I much prefer the beard too. Happy news Don is home if only for a brief visit. Ten years ago I set too many goals for these woods. Too much maintenance for an old woman. This morning I had help. I’m so grateful for a strong back to get me back in order for fall pleasures. He even trimmed back the branches shading the clothesline without my asking. Amazing difference. Slowly the woods are taking it back a section at a time as I concentrate on just the areas around the cottage. It’s a delight watching wild things grow and attract all manner of flying creatures. I really like your hose hanger. Anything that you don’t have to stoop for get my vote. Since Masterpiece Theater didn’t air for us last night we watched the Olympics. I must admit I look forward to them and am equally glad to see them over. Happy Monday, Claudia. Your got us off to a good start.
I can honestly say I haven’t watched any of the Olympics. I am proud of their hard work and effort, but I am not into it.
I love that picture! So soft.
I haven’t watched any of the games. Awful I know, but I just can’t get into it this year. Like you I hear the results before I can watch…not fun. I think the media is so afraid of someone else beating them to the punch they jump the gun. Media is so much more right in our faces now. A lot more then when we were growing up. Of course it took them awhile to get results, news, etc. Now they have it instantly and think we should also. They get so much wrong by doing this. Apolagize ( I can spell today…sorry)later…but to late sometimes for some people. O.K. off my soap box now!
The constant commentary drives us all nuts, then why do they do it? I really dislike sports games where the announcers get so excited you can barely understand them.
Most likely someone did a study and determined that our attention span was no longer then 4 seconds…what was I saying? Oh right, anyways…
Glad to hear that you at least see you husband for a few days.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
We get 6 channels of the Olympics and usually the events I want to watch have an Arabic commentator — and let me tell you, listening to that is more than I can bear. Not because of the Arabic — but the inflection in the guy’s voice would go UP at the END of every sentence. I had to mute it and just watch the swimming in silence. In some interviews, I felt that Ryan Lochte was a bit cocky so I was happy to see that Michael Phelps did well and ended his career on a very high note. One week of the Olympics was enough for me. Have a great week. Tammy
I guess I feel the same way about the Olympics..My favorite events are over..BUT..There’s nothing on TV anyway, so….